Google
Think Glink
Web 		 

Articles By Ilyce

Ilyce Glink is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist, television reporter and radio talk show host who is widely known for her expertise on trends and issues in real estate and finance. Her syndicated column REAL ESTATE MATTERS offers common sense information and practical insights for anyone thinking about buying, selling, rehabbing or refinancing a home.

  • New Fence Leads To Lot Line Dispute - A reader was planning on putting up a new fence when the survey revealed a lot line closer to the neighbor's home. Ilyce and Sam help the two families resolve this dispute.

  • Pay Off Home or Invest Money? - Is it best to pay off a mortgage or invest the money for retirement? A reader writes Ilyce to ask how to invest a large amount of money. Ilyce provides suggestions on how to make this critical decision.

  • Think Twice Before Sharing a Signature on a Mortgage - Judging by the mail in my box, many people don’t understand the true implications of “lending” a signature to a friend or relative – and how their actions can destroy in a few short months the fine credit history you’ve built up over decades.

  • Investment Strategy For Savers - Two lucky home owners write Ilyce for investment advice. They have money to save and are wondering whether to pay down their mortgage or save for their son's education. Ilyce helps them prioritize their investment options.

  • Life Estate on Home Could Lead to Gift Tax - A reader lives in a home that her brother inherited from their parents. They are trying to figure out how to give her "life estate" without having to incur a gift tax. Ilyce and Sam suggest that an estate attorney could figure out several ways to transfer the property without triggering a gift tax.

  • Transferring Right To Buy Property - A reader has transferred the right to buy a property to a second party who in turn transferred it to a third party. Sam and Ilyce suggest getting the bank to authorize the closing agent to transfer title to the third buyer

  • Working With Contractor? Get Lien Waivers From Subs - A reader had work done on his home and his contractor left town without paying the sub-contractors. Now there is a materialman's lien against the home. Ilyce suggests always getting lien waivers from the sub-contractors before giving the contractor his final payment.

  • Real Estate Consultant Raises Red Flags - A home owner in Chicago has been offered to sell her home through a real estate consultant. Ilyce warns the seller that she should get several appraisals and hire a good real estate attorney.

  • Renovate or Tear Down: When Shouldn’t a House be Saved? - In neighborhoods all across America we are seeing old homes being torn down and replaced by new construction. Ilyce interviews Lane Epstein, an architect and vice president of Baker Construction Group, about how to decide if an older home is appropriate for renovation or tear down.

  • Okay to Change Real Estate Agent - A reader has just sold her home after changing real estate agents. Now, the original agent is very upset and seems to believe that she should have been the agent for all her future deals. Ilyce explains how changes in marketing real estate have changed the agent/client relationship.

  • Terminating the Sale of a Home - A reader had made an offer on a home but had trouble getting the seller to agree to repairs. He issued a termination letter but is unsure of his obligations on this deal. Ilyce encourages him to hire a real estate attorney.

  • Divorce Leads To Home Ownership Issues - A reader has been divorced for many years and received his home in the divorce settlement. While preparing to sell the home, he discovers his ex-wife never signed a quit claim deed. Ilyce and Sam explain what legal steps should be taken in order to sell his home.

  • Mold Problem In New Home - A reader purchased a newly constructed home that has mold and construction problems. Sam and Ilyce explain the tax implications of selling the home at a loss.

  • Figuring Capital Gains On Inherited Property - A reader's grandmother is selling the family farm after the death of her husband. Ilyce helps this family determine how the capital gains tax will be calculated on this property.

  • Raising Your Credit Score - A reader wants to raise his credit score by cancelling some of his cards. Ilyce gives tips on how to improve your credit rating.

  • Fixing Broken Items Before You List  - Any house – even a brand new house – needs fixing from time to time. It’s just that buyers don’t want to be reminded of this obvious truth when it comes time to plunk down their cash. Ilyce shares a comprehensive list of everything you need to fix before putting your house on the market.

  • Timeshare Becomes A Problem In The Long Run - A reader has written Ilyce about the debt owed on a timeshare that she and her ex-husband purchased before their divorce. Ilyce explains that she does owe the money for the timeshare and cautions everyone to think carefully before buying a timeshare.

  • Consider Paying Off Mortgage - A reader has done an excellent job of buying real estate and saving money on a modest income. He is wondering if paying off his mortgage is a good move. Ilyce share the pros and cons of paying off a mortgage before its due date.

  • Katrina Volunteer Looks For Book Deal - A reader volunteered in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She would like to compile her photographs into a book. Ilyce gives advice on how to create a book proposal, find an agent and sell to publishers.

  • Planning For Retirement - A reader is trying to make smart real estate decisions in order to plan for future retirement. Ilyce helps him think through the options when trying to decrease spending and increase retirement savings.

  • Foreclosures Rising? NeighborWorks to the Rescue - It can happen to anyone. Changing jobs, losing child support payments or having unexpected expenses can make a homeowner behind on mortgage payments. Ilyce shares the story of a woman who was in this situation and found the help she needed to get out of foreclosure.

  • Investing In Real Estate With Siblings - A reader owns property with his brother and sister. They now want to sell the property and use a 1031 exchange to buy a new piece of property together. Ilyce explains the best steps to take when using a 1031 exchange and suggests that hiring an attorney is best when buying with siblings.

  • Termination of Easement Agreement - A homeowner shares a driveway with the neighbor as described in the easement agreement. The neighbor has never contributed to the maintenance costs of the driveway. Now a new owner is insisting upon use of the driveway. Ilyce and Sam inform the reader that termination of an easement agreement is not easy.

  • Dangers Of Quit Claim Deed - A reader is hoping his mother will quit claim deed a home to him. Ilyce warns him that the mortgage company will have a problem with this deal and it will also create estate problems down the line.

  • Buying Property Within The Family - A reader is planning to buy her grandmother's condo for a great price. Ilyce helps her think through all of the legal and tax implications of this deal.

  • Book Review: Two Years to Be a Real Estate Millionaire - Ilyce reviews Matthew Martinez's book, Two Years To Be A Real Estate Millionaire.

  • How To Buy Foreclosures - A reader is interested in entering the business of buying foreclosures. Ilyce warns the reader that this may be a very difficult industry to enter.

  • Paying Off Home Equity Loan - A reader was unable to contact her home equity lender to get a final pay off amount. She stopped making payments assuming that the company would contact her. Ilyce explains why this was not a good idea and gives the reader tips for paying off the loan.

  • 1031 Reverse Exchange - A reader wants to use the sale money from an investment property to purchase an office condo. Sam and Ilyce explain what a normal 1031 exchange is and the details involved in a 1031 reverse exchange.

  • Seller Walks Away At Closing -  A reader was at the closing to purchase a home when the seller walked away due to a back tax payment. Ilyce gives the buyer advice on how to get her deposit money back and suggests she move on to a new property.

  • Empty Nester Makes A Plan - A reader has determined that she no longer needs such a large home after the death of her parents and her children growing up. Ilyce helps this reader make a plan to pay off debts, improve and sell the home in order to make a fresh start.

  • What’s Owed When Someone Dies - A reader asked Ilyce if she was responsible for her deceased husband's credit card debt. Ilyce and estate lawyer, Georgia Loukas Demeros, suggest a plan for dealing with an estate after a spouse passes away.








Stories ..